HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/05/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study SessionOFFICIAL MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
May 16, 2018 — 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Lisa Peilen, Richard Person, Joe Tatalovich
MEMBERS ABSENT: Claudia Johnston -Madison, Torrey Kanne, Carl Robertson
STAFF PRESENT: Meg McMonigal, Sean Walther
Comprehensive Plan — Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan Goals and Strategies
Meg McMonigal, Principal Planner, reviewed the draft. She said new and/or revised
goals are highlighted.
Commissioner Peilen asked about the Commercial and Office Land Use goal regarding
minimizing surface parking. She said she hoped that didn't mean reducing parking in
the city.
Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, responded that is an item coming from
the council to consider reducing parking requirements by right -sizing parking lots, to
prevent requiring or allowing more parking than is needed.
Commissioner Peilen responded she is concerned that if the city gets to the point of
reducing parking spots in order to encourage biking the impact may be that people shop
elsewhere.
Ms. McMonigal said a study would probably be conducted on implementation steps so
that the community could be part of the discussion. She said the intent is to get rid of
unnecessarily large parking lots that impact water and environment.
Mr. Walther said an example would be Byerly's parking lot which is probably one-third
larger than it needs to be.
Ms. McMonigal spoke about the community survey which is currently being conducted.
She said about one-half of the survey is in regards to land use.
Mr. Walther discussed the survey which was conducted last fall which gathered general
input on what people wanted in the city and in their neighborhoods. He said those items
have been incorporated and reflected in the comprehensive plan draft. The latest survey
is to get more feedback on more specific policy changes.
Official Minutes
Planning Commission
May 16, 2018
Page 2
Commissioner Carper asked when major community streets become more defined under
Livable Communities goals.
Mr. Walther responded initially there was a list of streets, and it is now more broadly
defined which leaves some room for interpretation. He explained it is more of an
approach to these projects and is just a wording change.
Commissioner Carper asked where in the current plan that occurs.
Mr. Walther responded that it is on-going. There may be additional definition and
guidance in the mobility plan.
There was a discussion about commercial corridors, residential streets and financing.
Commissioner Person asked about the new section regarding developing a 2040
Sustainability Plan. He asked if development of such a plan would require an
amendment to the Comp Plan.
Mr. Walther responded if a new document is adopted with new policies, it can stand
alone or it can be adopted by reference in the Comp Plan.
Commissioner Peilen asked why the goal of conducting a sustainability assessment of
economic and social systems' conditions appears in the Climate Action Plan.
Ms. McMonigal and Mr. Walther spoke about the Environmental and Sustainability
Commission's desire to include sustainability in the Climate Action Plan.
There was a discussion about sustainability and interconnections in a city.
Mr. Walther commented that the sustainability side of things is often defined as a three-
legged stool which is economic, social and environmental.
Commissioner Carper said the word sustain doesn't seem to have anything to do with
improving or enhancing. He said he's concerned that the general public won't
understand the definition of sustainability.
Ms. McMonigal read the UNESCO definition of sustainability, which appears in the
Environmental Stewardship section of the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Walther explained that sustainability will have considerable city discussion as part of
the Climate Action Plan implementation process.
Official Minutes
Planning Commission
May 16, 2018
Page 3
Commissioner Peilen asked about the new housing goal requirements for complimentary
and compatible neighborhood design standards for single family homes. She said she
doesn't think the city should get involved in design standards.
Commissioner Tatalovich had questions about accessory dwellings.
Mr. Walther said including accessory dwellings in the Land Use section is a way to
provide flexibility to allow more housing units and at a smaller scale than multi -family
apartment buildings that have been prevalent in recent development.
Regarding mobility goals, Commissioner Peilen said she is concerned about the emphasis
on biking, along with the council wanting to reduce parking spaces. She said she wants
to see balance.
Ms. McMonigal said the intent is to provide more transportation options, and supporting
healthier and non-polluting modes. She said more clarity could be provided.
There was a discussion about complete streets design.
In regards to Racial Equity Goals and Strategies, Commissioner Peilen asked if the city
knows the racial equity concerns of people of color in the city.
Ms. McMonigal spoke about data received through the Vision 3.0 public input process
which indicated people of color felt isolated and unwelcome in the community.
Commissioner Peilen stated that the goals and strategies of the 2040 Comp Plan are
aggressive and implementation will be expensive. She asked how the city prioritizes
spending on these goals and strategies.
Mr. Walther spoke about the budgeting process. He said the Capital Improvements Plan
for example will establish priorities for the next five years.
Ms. McMonigal shared the format to be used for the Plan by Neighborhood section of the
comprehensive plan. She said existing plans are online.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Sells
Recording Secretary